for signature. the united states signed the treaty on the very same day. u.s. ratification is in our national security interest. in the u.s. nuclear posture review, ratification of it is central to beating other nuclear weapons state still a world of diminished reliance and eventual nuclear disarmament. since we have maintained a 20 year moratorium on explosive nuclear testing, our practices are consistent already with the center of prohibitions of the comprehensive test ban treaty. ratification would be a significant affirmation of the importance that united states the tribute to the nonproliferation regime. by hastening the day that they are in the force, they were completely contribute to reducing the role of nuclear weapons. with a global ban on nuclear explosive tests, a state interested in pursuing weapons programs would have to either risk deploying weapons uncertain of their effectiveness or face international condemnation for conducting nuclear tests. ctbt would also subject violators to on-site inspections. a further deterrent to those states. it has been 12 years since the senate v